yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Vibrant General] ttabbal:
Well, that's sort of right.

Standalone GPS is satellite only. That's the default mode the Vibrant comes in from the factory. Normally, with a decent GPS firmware, this mode would work fine most of the time. This firmware doesn't seem to run in parallel when searching for signals, it seems to only do one at a time watching GPSTest. So if that satellite isn't visible, it times out before moving to the next one. Stupid, as GPS receivers are like GPUs, they are very parallel and can search more than one frequency at the same time. These days, most can do 20+ signals simultaneously. This is how those standalone GPS receivers can get a lock so fast, they fire up all 20 receivers on different frequencies to find signals all at the same time.

aGPS. There are different ways this can be done, but the common one in smartphones is that you download the list of visible satellites and some other info about the GPS network from the internet connection in your phone. This is significantly faster than attempting to get it from the GPS satellites. It's how a G1 can get a position lock from a cold start seemingly instantly. It knows what satellites to look for and has all the information it needs other than the time signals from the satellites themselves. This mode doesn't quite work right on the Vibrant. Again, it seems that the GPS receiver doesn't start all the receiver channels it has, instead doing them in a single-threaded mode. That's only when the thing is able to use the network based data. Sometimes it just doesn't get it for some reason and falls back to standalone mode. In GPSTest, you should see the list of satellites update nearly instantly when aGPS is enabled. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. This, at least, is a firmware bug of some kind. This mode is what the "fix" does, it turns this mode on. It helps a lot, when it works. I haven't found much of a pattern to when it works either, sometimes it works great, other times, not at all.

Use wireless network is cell tower triangulation and is independent of the GPS receiver. You can use it without GPS enabled and you can use GPS without this enabled.

WiFi networks are not used in the Android "wireless network" option by default, at least not in older versions. It's possible 2.0+ enabled it as Google does have the data. This is what the "SkyHook" option is in the GPS settings on our Vibrant. SkyHook is a company that collects this data and provides it to companies to use for this. Some Android apps had this capability, Locale could do it, I think Google Maps also has it built in.

One thing to note, the number of "locked" satellites in GPSTest is obviously wrong. This has to be a firmware bug in the NMEA output. I've seen 10ft locks that are accurate compared to a real GPS receiver with ONE used satellite! That can't happen. This number can't be being reported correctly. As such, it's a useless metric for GPS performance on this phone. You should ignore this number until we get the promised GPS fix from Samsung. The accuracy number does seem to be about as correct as any GPS receiver is though (it's always a guess).
[Vibrant General] coolshades:
Thanks for the 3 explanations above!

My concern is I have not been able to get any navigation/location apps work if I turn off "use data network" and only use satellites. My tiny bluetooth receiver used with Axim x51v can lock onto enough satellites and start navigating in 30-45 seconds from cold boot. I believe to claim the Vibrant to have gps, it should be able to do that, and the agps should the the "icing on the cake", so to speak.

I am beginning to lose confidence in Samsung. First the Behold II saga, now the Vibrant!!! :mad:

Cool
[Vibrant General] lolcopter:
i don't know what to say.

my gps has been solid. sometimes it will have trouble determining location indoors, but every outdoor attempt has been pretty snappy. i just tried it indoors in the last five minutes, and it found my location pretty quickly. i also tested the gps at multiple locations outside this afternoon, and it located me pretty quickly, i even used navigation on the way home. this is all with the wireless networks setting turned off.

i agree that maybe the software such as gps test and gps status aren't giving the most accurate readings. i consistently see about 10-12 birds, and have yet to lock on more than one. i haven't waited more than a few minutes each attempt though. but like i said, so far the gps has been a bit wonky indoors, but fairly solid outdoors. i've used programs like maps, navigation, and google earth so far. compass is fine too.

edit: stock settings
[Vibrant General] ardchoille:
I tried the info in the OP but it didn't work, never got any sats. I tried the info from Charlie Brown (quoted above) and got 7 sats listed in about 30 seconds in the GPS Test app. Additionally, GPS Essentials (market app) listed 6 sats in about 20 seconds with 3 used in the fix.

Thanks to Charlie Brown, I am now able to get GPS working decently.

P.S.

I had to use the word "dot" in the quote instead of periods because these forums wouldn't let me post otherwise. Kinda silly restriction for a registered member with more than 1 post.
[Vibrant General] morfic:
Here is something to think about:

Battery life paranoia dictates that i turn off everything i do not use. so every time i use an app to use GPS, i let them take me there and turn it on.

IF the settings in the *#*#1472365#*#* menu really do something or not, can't say, if i told you the settings i am on right now, it's not stock, not what's in the published fixes.

Yet right now i am quite happy with consistency, i hated watching my location wander through my neighbor's houses in Google maps.

So i play around in my menu and it does not seem to make things better or worse.

Some people report having isuues, rebooting (not changing anything, just rebooting) and they can finish their trip home, and when it messes up, they reboot again.

So i wonder if the reboot and then right away using it, is the fix.

For me it does seem to make a difference if i keep it off and turn it on when needed.

I noticed having it on when nothing uses it does not kill battery life, so i leave it on (ok, so i tested that today)

I wanted an app to get me offline maps, so i bought CoPilot, a little awkward to use for me at first, but it locked on while i tried to tinker about. (translates to quick)

And every time i use it, it gets a quick lock and it keeps it, watching the icon, it may drop it very briefly and has it right back. Yet it does not bounce me around when it does.

Google maps took me off the highway and back where the last cellular lock was it had on me. and back on highway and back 5 miles to the last cell lock.....

To me it seems like different apps lock differently. How does android feed them the satellite's data? just the result, or raw data the app gets to interpret?

In case you wonder how different:

(Wireless location is off in android settings)

Operation mode:

Standalone

StartMode:

Hot Start

GPS Plus:

Off

Dynamic Accuracy:

ON

Accuracy:

10

Use SkyHook:

ON

Use PC Tool:

OFF

Then:

Server:

supl.google.com

Server Port:

7276

SUPL Secure Socket:

OFF

AGPS Mode:

Control Plane

Those settings aside, there are two things i do differently:

Leave GPS checked at all times and use another GPS app.

I lock on about 4 out of 15 in the lbs position test in the menu.

2 out of 9 in GPS Essentials

And in Copilot's satellite menu i getabout 7 satellites, of which 5-6 are usually above the threshold and it does not bounce me around as Google maps does.

*shrug* we can throw in a few more guesses until Samsung/TMO hook us up with a fixed firmware, until then i actually get to use my phone to navigate.....

Why i don't think this menu works:

http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2005/may/13/news2.html

If this is true, all of what i did would work against apgs and against speeding things up, yet no matter how often i change them and delete gps data and reboot, t works ok for me rght now, think about the two behavioural changes i made, not so much this menu :)
[Vibrant General] BeeDubs:
1) Will this work on the Fascinate?

2) Is it reversible?
[Vibrant General] crisos:
hi guys

i'm on froyo JPH, some secrets code are ok but not this ( *#*#1472365#*#*)

any idea?

thanks for help
[Vibrant General] Jaytek:
success

It fixed my gps, it works better now...:)
[Vibrant General] jamesyl:
1) You should check the Fascinate forums

2) Yes

The GPS files from the leaked firmware JI2, in combination with the Standalone -> MS Based change, are the best GPS fix out so far. Everyone reading this thread from hereon out should seriously consider adding the GPS files from JI2.
[Vibrant General] eklipz3:
If this helps anyone just talked to tech support at tmo yesterday and the tech said there will finally be an update coming out within the next 2 weeks which should fix a number of things. He also said we should start seeing g4 around november. All i can says is lets hope he's right.
[Vibrant General] androidmonkey:
I had a dream last night and the CEO of Tmobile was in it. He said the fix would be out soon, no earlier than 2 minutes from now, no later than 2 years from now.
[Vibrant General] thecapoots:
OK, so a while back I applied the fix (maybe a month ago), and it's worked like a charm. It's great.

When my phone doesn't lock up/screen goes black/buttons light up/I begin to cry.

It tends to happen in apps that use gps data, like Cardio Trainer, Google Nav, and Foursquare. Anyone have a fix for that?
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
Flash JI2 or JI4. Fixes that right up.

Although I have to say MS-Based causes problems for me although it does seem to help GPS.

Note that you will need to modify the build.prop for JI2 or JI4 to get access to all market apps and the gallery is a bit buggy.
[Vibrant General] jamesyl:
Problems with accuracy?

I suspected MS-Based was inferior to Standalone before JI2, but ever since I flashed JI2 files, my MS-Based has been working perfectly (accuracy ~7m, no dropped signals).
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
Problems with locking the phone up.
[Vibrant General] smashpunks:
Yea that 20 seconds freeze in the gallery is very annoying.

That's why I'm on bionix 1.3.

My advice is to flash just the files or a custom rom with the fix. Them JI2 and 4 both hang on the gallery... :d

That's almost worse than no GPS... lol

Bionix ftw
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
I don't like the theme-ing on bionix or the JFD-based-ness of it. The Gallery is fine now on JI5
[Vibrant General] darksandz93:
I did the first GPS fix that came out way back when where i changed the SUPL/CP settings to supl.google.com. GPS never picked up at all when "use wireless networks" wasn't checked. Tried bionix 1.2 & 1.3.....never picked up with supl.google.com or default. tried the leaked GPS fix....with supl.google.com and default...still no pick up. Am i doing something wrong? i know it can't be hardware =(
[Vibrant General] DriftorX:
Has anyone else updated to tombile official ota JI6 update and cant get to *#*#1472365#*#* to see settings for the gps?

When i try doing the code it does nothing. Doesnt let me get to the menu like i did before the JI6 update. is there a new code for it?
[Vibrant General] makarandt:
same issue with captivate At&Tafter software upgrade. I am not able to open the Application settings by *#*#1472365#*#*.
[Vibrant General] Stephie Baby:
Can anyone please walk me through how to fix my GPS!! It wont work at all now. Im really frustrated. I updated and it wont find my location. At least before it was just a block off. GRRRRR..
[Vibrant General] ShinyBuddha:
Check your PM

~SB
[Vibrant General] Maazer:
I'm having the same issue, would you be able to help me out too? Would truly appreciate it :)
[Vibrant General] EWP000:
I can't have access to the GPS settings. I dial the code *#*#1472365*#*# but nothing happens.

I've recently updated to JH7 via Kies Mini.

Would it be related to that?

tks
[Vibrant General] Woolaroc:
I am having this issue to. I have done to OTA update and want to put my settings back to default as the update hasn't fixed anything for me. I can't access the gps settings though with the code.
[Vibrant General] cathardicnotion:
All, the new code to get into the gps settings is:

*#3214789650#

Hope this helps!
[Vibrant General] cgingermany:
gps code

Thank you sir! After recieving the OTA update on my stock Vibrant, my settings went back to the original. aka.

Original settings:

Operation Mode: Standalone

Server: www.spirent-lcs.com

Port: 7275

So I got back into the GPS settings and fixed it up and vouala! Good to go. I do have better signal strength and the hd camera icon I think is a nice addition. Oncer again, thank you sir!
[Vibrant General] dang2327:
Worked like a charm. Thanks!
[Vibrant General] temperbad:
first boot took a min for me too, but like you all well after that..
[Vibrant General] Jon C:
Okay, glad I'm not alone with that one...

Just to add more data to the problem:

The only live widget I run is the AccuWeather.com one. I'm running a Live wallpapper (the coral one), Power Management controls and an inactive Pandora controls widget. The only one that actively pulls data at boot is AccuWeather. Otherwise, I have no other services (besides Mail) that are active on boot.

I have rebooted a number of times now, and each time, it is choppy and unusable for ~1min.

I will try messing around with my setup to see if anything changes. But even so, this shouldn't be happening. So continue to post if you find anything, please. Thanks.
[Vibrant General] offensive:
Just applied the fix, no choppy boot, acquired signal far quicker. Solid fix.
[Vibrant General] temperbad:
choppy while its checking sd card and all that? or when its done? Mine is choppy too when its checking sd card and all but I think its because its not fully booted. Im not sure if it did that before but not biggie for me, ill wait 20 more seconds...
[Vibrant General] cashless:
I just edited the GPS settings, but I changed one thing. I turned on SkyHook services. From what I've read it's supposed to be the greatest thing ever.

SkyHook

Testing now. It's heavily overcast here with absolutely no visible sky, I'm indoors next to a window.
[Vibrant General] nricci:
This is really very good news. Good job!

After the fix, how many satellites do you see "IN USE" with the GPS Test application and what is the accuracy?

Thanks.
[Vibrant General] gthmcty1:
Thanks as always XDA worked like a charm.
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
It's easily seeing 10, but only 2 are in use. Accuracy is hovering around 30ft. This should be fine until we get something from Samsung on the matter.
[Vibrant General] dcam1075:
Unfortunately this fix does next to nothing for accuracy, it just allows your phone to pull down satellite location data from the network which helps you gain an fix quicker. Which is nice and should have been enabled from the beginning. However the bigger problem still remains that either the GPS hardware or software will not let it lock (receive data) from more than 3 or 4 satellites at a time which is a major problem when it comes to using applications like google mytracks, or even Navigation if you are in areas with poor view of the horizon, ie city, mountains, woods, etc. I hope this is just a software issue and Samsung addresses it quickly. Although this has been a known issue with the Galaxy S in Europe and Asia for going on 2 months and nothing has been done yet. Fingers crossed!
[Vibrant General] boodies:
Hmm, ya know, I actually have this problem. I think it has more to do with the amount of programs we have on our phone. Because this issue was there for me even before I did this GPS fix.

But yea I understand the frustration. When I first got the phone, once it boots into home, I can almost instantly start navigating the phone and start using it. Now after many many program installations, it does take a while like 30 sec [after booting into android], still not bad tho :)
[Vibrant General] TGA_Gunnman:
Awesome fix. Props

LOL to you that returned your phones on a freak out over this. Told ya to wait you impatient smacktards.
[Vibrant General] nricci:
I was afraid that would be the case.

40 feet accuracy is ok for navigation. Not ideal, but ok.

But certainly not ok for My Tracks or GPS Tracker.

I'm also surprised that your phone locked on 4 satellites! The two units I had locked on 2 max.
[Vibrant General] granduke:
Fixed worked great for me.

I was real upset with this problem as I had planned to use the phone for car nav as well as geocaching.

Thanks
[Vibrant General] ua412:
What's the best gps test app? Don't know if the one i'm currently using is correct or not.

Anyways I still haven't done the edit. I just arrived in Tuscaloosa (via Huntsville which is about a 2 and half hour drive) and the used the navigation app the whole time.

Only 1 problem the whole time. GPS got lost for maybe 30 seconds. Added the cell service gps or whatever and it came right back. It was raining bad for a good bit of the drive and was cloudy the whole way (not sure if that actually affects anything or not)

Not sure if I should try to change these settings when it's already working pretty well. Can I change the settings back if I go ahead and try this?
[Vibrant General] temperbad:
sure, just remember what they were before you change em...
[Vibrant General] kraftey:
Tried this fix... No noticeable change in anything for me, actually. Gps takes about the same amount of time to lock (wasn't really slow before), compass is still insane, and boot up time didn't change. Strange.

Guess I'll go back to stock.
[Vibrant General] aerohoff:
Followed the steps and couldn't get my location other than the cell tower based guess. The GPS test thing would find like 9 satellites but wouldn't bother to find my location. Then I turned skyhook on, whatever that is, and got my location immediately.

So yeah turn skyhook on.
[Vibrant General] aerohoff:
Where did this *#*#1472365#*#* code come from? Are there more of these secret menus?
[Vibrant General] larryccf:
some of the threads on this fix are indicating to reboot after making the changes
[Vibrant General] raduque:
I haven't done anything to my GPS settings, and I connect to two satellites with Accuracy at 20ft. Per "GPS Test" by Chartcross. I never noticed any kind of really slow lock times or anything - Google Maps takes about 20 seconds to lock in. Per an app called "MyLocation" it took 5700ms to lock in.
[Vibrant General] ryan562:
awesome, many thanks to the OP. works quite well now.
[Vibrant General] temperbad:
there's *#*#4636#*#*
[Vibrant General] kizer:
I use "Here I Am 2" from the market now and then to test my GPS. With my G1 I just hit 7 Sats within 10 seconds. Of course I can't test my Vibrant until it arrives tomorrow.
[Vibrant General] SickOfItAll:
Before applying this fix, using GPSTest, I could see 5 birds but never get a lock on any. Now I can see 11 birds and it locks on 3. My G1 sees 11 and locks on 9-10, so its performance is still subpar as far as I'm concerned.

Enabling SkyHook seems to allow it to get a fix pretty fast in Google Maps, around 2 seconds or so. Since SkyHook requires WiFi I'm assuming it won't be too useful outdoors or with the WiFi disabled.

This fix makes the GPS at least tolerable for now, but I'm still hoping there is a firmware fix in the near future for this issue.
[Vibrant General] runal:
Thanks. I applied the changes for my Vibrant (*#*#1472365#*#*) that were mentioned in this thread. I tried the GPS Test tool from my G1 and the new Samsung Vibrant from just outside of my front door. I have a lot of trees around and I have to mention that the weather is pretty bad outside.

I'm not sure but it seems like they both took around same time to lock to GPS (about 40 secs) but when G1 locks it, it instantly sees 9 0r 10 satellites (In View) and 9 or 10 (In Use) with around 20 feet accuracy, the bars below looks orange. When Vibrant locks it, it sees around 7 (In View), weird but it says 0 (In Use), the bars below are gray and the accuracy changes, best I saw was 30 feet and initially I saw up to 70 feet.

I think with this fix, It's good enough but I wonder if it's a hardware or a software issue.
[Vibrant General] hpz937:
I accidentally hit the delete gps data button and now I cannot get any sats in test

EDIT: fixed, changed to cold startup mode, rebooted phone took about a min or so then works
[Vibrant General] Ste11a:
This thread has been helpful. Thanks so much.
[Vibrant General] down8:
Still doesn't get me better than 150ft accuracy with a clear sky.

The large screen was a draw for me b/c I use my phone as a nav unit quite frequently. This is the biggest disappointment of the SGS/Vib so far.

I do hope Sammy fixes it w/a 2.2 update (ASAP).

-bZj
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
They've already fixed this on the i9000, we just need to wait for the update.
[Vibrant General] e-wrecked:
I'm glad the fix worked for you. :)
[Vibrant General] Maverick777:
Thanks for the post. So far it does seem I get a quicker fix, but I'll test it out over the next few days.

As far as actual GPS connections, using GPS Test I was "connected" to 9 satellites. The program showed 9 satellite readings with SNR reads ranging from 17-40. 6 of the 9 satellites had an SNR reading of 27 or higher.

I'm not sure if that's considered good or not. And I'm not sure that just because I saw the SNR reading that my phone was actually connected. It said "in view - 12" "in use = 0". Accuracy ranged from 40-50ft while I was inside my house, and 20-30 feet when I stepped outside. Clear sky.

I'm confused as to how to read this program. Let me know if this is on par with what you guys are seeing. I don't have another phone to compare my readings to.

PS: crossing my fingures for a full 2.2 update and fixes in August.
[Vibrant General] nricci:
What matters is the "in use". Those are the satellites your phone could lock on and use for location purposes.
[Vibrant General] e-wrecked:
Hope it works as well for everyone else.
[Vibrant General] ua412:
Not sure if it's been posted or not

Edit #2:

I was informed by a sales rep at T-Mobile that Samsung is aware of the issue and is going to fix the GPS and the compass issue in their first update.
[Vibrant General] qnzmental:
Thanks

worked great for me.....i just got my big V today and tested GPS before i did fix...and it was bad...after fix and reboot...normal (fast compared to the G1) load up when turned back on.....like a 2 sec lock on with GPS...i saw a perfect lock on for a good 10 seconds and worst was about 80 ft off for a short 5 sec...but on average was about 20ft off. i hope this and the compass gets fixed cuz this is pissing me off....but great temp. fix.....much thanks
[Vibrant General] ArcticWolf91:
My GPS still does not lock indoors. Indoors the most accurate it gets is to 1000 meters....which is bad. Outdoors however, it works fine.
[Vibrant General] techpreneur:
Sorry new to android. Where do I find Operation Mode" to MS Based and Under "SUPL/CP Settings"
[Vibrant General] Qwijib0:
If this is true then awesome, but I'll believe it when I see it.
[Vibrant General] dublued:
"PS - These are not my own but I found them online by username e-wrecked"
[Vibrant General] heygrl:
It's already been fixed for the i9000. Why is everyone so negative?
[Vibrant General] iceman1251:
did this fix and i am getting good gps signals... but my compass is either not working at all or it is very slow to get to where ever i am pointing my device.... i hope they can fix this in an update.
[Vibrant General] ua412:
Do you have a link for this?

I can't speak for other people, but for me the thing is I'm a poor college student and after paying summer tuition and books and then having to pay tuition again in a month for the fall... 200 dollars for a phone that doesn't work is a big deal.

I have what, 10 days till I can no longer return the device? It would be nice to know whether it's actually going to get fixed or not (or if it even can be fixed.)
[Vibrant General] e-wrecked:
OP, my apologies. I edited my previous posts. Thank you for spreading the word on the solution. :)
[Vibrant General] yuszairi:
how about skyhook option? ON or OFF?